Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

Epstein-Barr virus infection facts

The cause of an Epstein-Barr infection (mononucleosis) is EBV; risk factors include intimate contacts with body secretions (especially saliva) and objects that may be exposed to body secretions of infected people.

The Epstein-Barr virus is contagious and is spread from person to person.

EBV is contagious during the incubation period and while symptoms are present; some individuals may be contagious for as long as 18 months.

EBV is transmitted from person to person mainly by saliva; however, other body fluids may transmit the disease. Items contaminated with bodily fluids like saliva (toys, utensils, cups, for example) may also transmit the disease.

The incubation period for an Epstein-Barr virus infection is about four to seven weeks.

Incubation Period for Mono

The incubation period (from time of exposure to EBV to symptom development) is about four to seven weeks, and some people can spread the disease during the incubation period and up to 18 months later. Mono can be spread by blood, semen, and organ transplants. Saliva-contaminated toothbrushes, utensils, and contact with other EBV-contaminated objects may also spread the disease.

What is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)?

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes virus family (human herpesvirus 4). EBV is found worldwide and is a common cause of viral pharyngitis, especially in young adults. EBV is transmitted from person to person and then infects human B cells, which in turn spread the infection throughout the entire reticuloendothelial system (RES, or the liver, spleen, and peripheral lymph nodes). About 50% of the population has antibodies to the virus by age 5; about 12% of susceptible adults (college-age) develop antibodies to the virus, and one half of those adults develop the disease termed mononucleosis (also termed infectious mononucleosis, mono, glandular fever, and kissing disease), which produces symptoms of lymph node, spleen, and liver swelling, fever, inflamed throat, malaise, and rash.

What are causes and risk factors for an Epstein-Barr virus infection?

The cause of an Epstein-Barr virus infection or mono is the infection of circulating B cells by EBV and the body's response to the presence of the virus. Risk factors include

intimate contact with body secretions (primarily mouth secretions but including other body fluids like those found in the cervix and semen);

young age (children, adolescents, and young adults are most often infected);

sharing items such as eating utensils, toys, or toothbrushes;

rarely, blood transfusions or organ transplants.

Is the Epstein-Barr virus contagious?

Yes, the Epstein-Barr virus is contagious and easily passed from person to person mainly by mouth secretions. EBV can be spread by sharing contaminated objects like cups, toothbrushes, or eating utensils.

How long is an Epstein-Barr virus infection contagious?

An Epstein-Barr virus is contagious during its long incubation period (four to seven weeks, see below) and then until symptoms are gone; however, there is evidence that some people may still spread the virus to others for many months even after symptoms are gone. Some studies indicate that some individuals can be contagious for as long as 18 months.

How do people transmit the Epstein-Barr virus?

EBV is transmitted mainly through the saliva secreted in the mouth during kissing or sharing items that can pass saliva to other individuals (for example, cups, spoons, straws, and other utensils). There is evidence that semen and the fluid from the cervix may also contain transmittable EBV. The disease is sometimes subclinical (meaning there are no symptoms in the infected individual), and the virus has been transmitted rarely by blood transfusion and/or organ transplants. In addition, EBV remains in the individual for life and occasionally may become reactivated (the person develops symptoms). If EBV is reactivated, the person becomes contagious. A person may be contagious even during the incubation period (see below).

What is the incubation period for an Epstein-Barr virus infection?

The incubation period (time period between initial infection and development of symptoms) for EBV is unusually long. It takes about four to seven weeks for symptoms to develop.

Symptoms may last about two to four weeks; however, some individuals still feel tired for a few weeks more.

What tests do health care professionals use to diagnose an Epstein-Barr virus infection?

Many EBV infections are diagnosed simply by the symptoms. However, there are tests for EBV, but they need to be interpreted appropriately. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following for EBV testing:

CDC recommendations for EBV testing

Susceptibility to infection: People are considered susceptible to EBV infection if they do not have antibodies to the VCA (viral capsid antigen).

Primary (new or recent) infection: People are considered to have a primary EBV infection if they have anti-VCA IgM but do not have antibody to EBNA (EBV nuclear antigen). Other results that strongly suggest a primary infection are a high or rising level of anti-VCA IgG and no antibody to EBNA after at least four weeks of illness. Resolution of the illness may occur before the diagnostic antibody levels appear. In rare cases, people with active EBV infections may not have detectable EBV-specific antibodies.

Past infection: The presence of antibodies to both VCA and EBNA suggests past infection (from several months to years earlier). Since over 90% of adults have been infected with EBV, most adults will show antibodies to EBV from infection years earlier. High or elevated antibody levels may be present for years and are not diagnostic of recent infection.

The CDC does not recommend the Monospot test for general use because of both false-positive and false-negative results and because the antibodies detected can be caused by other conditions. However, the test is still used to detect antibodies that are often present in EBV-infected patients about two to nine weeks after EBV infection. It is used as a screening test and is not specific for EBV infection.

What is the treatment for an Epstein-Barr virus infection?

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for EBV. However, some physicians may use corticosteroids to reduce swelling of tissues (for example, swelling in the throat, enlarged spleen). Most of the treatments are designed to reduce symptoms (see home remedies below).

Are there any home remedies for an Epstein-Barr virus infection?

Although home remedies do not cure EBV infections, some provide relief from the symptoms of the disease. The most common home remedies are as follows:

What is the prognosis of an Epstein-Barr virus infection?

The prognosis for most individuals who are infected with EBV is usually good as most people recover completely without any of the complications described above. If complications develop, the majority of patients usually recover, even if the recovery time is prolonged. Rarely, splenic rupture occurs, which requires surgery and can result in death.

Is it possible to prevent an Epstein-Barr virus infection? Is there an EBV vaccine?

There is no vaccine available to prevent EBV infections. Individuals can reduce their risk of infection by not using utensils, toys, or other objects used by infected individuals and by practicing good hand-washing techniques. Avoiding contact with any body fluids, especially saliva, may reduce the chance of infection. Prevention is difficult because EBV is widespread in populations and can be transmitted even when an infected person has no symptoms.